TAIKO IN POP CULTURE

December 17, 2007

Taiko music is present throughout Japanese pop culture in so many random ways that it is just astonishing. It must be remembered that taiko are a very traditional instrument – yes, I realize that my previous post on Kodo’s redefining the concept of “tradition” sort of contradicts the power of this statement.

There is a very popular arcade video game in Japan: a taiko simulator, where there are two big rubber and plastic taiko drums with sticks. It is similar to the popular video game, Guitar Hero, where you try to “play” a song with a controller shaped like a guitar. In this game (let’s just call it “Taiko Hero” from here on out), you follow a beat, and either compete against the computer or another player.

(Sorry it's sideways)

I have played Taiko Hero and it is a blast. It’s very funny because the songs in Taiko Hero are not like traditional Japanese taiko songs; I have even played it to the Mario Brothers theme song! For me, it’s just really neat to see taiko in such a contemporary and popular context.

Furthermore, I have been eating a rice cracker snack that depicts several cartoon taiko players on it. Again, it’s not incredibly important and I don’t have much to say about, but I just love the idea how taiko is spread throughout Japanese culture…And the crackers are really good! I have been eating some as I wrote this!